Ballo Jr. fashioned a businesslike 2-under-par 68 in the afternoon to grab a one-stroke first round lead at the Connecticut Open, which continues Tuesday and concludes Wednesday.

"I was in control of the golf ball. I was control of my emotions. The wind was difficult all afternoon especially on the back nine," Ballo Jr. said. "I'm very happy with my 68."

What was abundantly apparent over the par-71, 6,737-yard course is that Mike Ballo Jr. is much older and much wiser about the profession of golf.

Ballo Jr., a Trinity Catholic High and St. John's University graduate, hit a milestone last December when he earned provisional status on the Web.com Tour -- the precursor to mecca (The PGA Tour).

What provisional status means is that Ballo Jr. can try to qualify on Mondays for limited spots to play any Web.com Tour event he wants.

Thus far, Ballo Jr. has played in two Web.com Tour events. He missed the cut at United Leasing Open in late June. And missed the cut despite shooting three under par at the Boise Open.

"Monday qualifying is harder than winning an actual tournament. I've shot anywhere from 1-under to 5-under on Mondays and not gotten into the main tourney," Ballo Jr. said. "Spots are limited because PGA Tour guys can come down to play Web.con Tour events if they wish. There was one Web.com Tour event in Vancouver I was invited to on a Wednesday. I was stuck in a New York City airport from nine hours. Couldn't get a flight out. Couldn't play in the tourney."

Despite the frustrations, Ballo Jr. is doing all the right things to seize the opportunity.

He has a swing coach (Chris Buck). He has a motivation coach working on the mental side of golf.

He has changed his diet. He has changed his lifestyle. He has changed his fitness through workouts.

"In the past year I've changed so much. The question my motivational coach asked was `What are you going to do different to achieve what you've never achieved before?' " Ballo Jr. said. "I'm attacking golf from a mental standpoint."

That was clear during his six-birdie, four-bogey, one great par save, two short missed birdie putts round Monday.

"I had a chance to get to 4-under par. But mistakes will happen," Ballo Jr. said. "Nobody will be draining birdie putts left and right. It's all about ballstriking. It's all about staying patient."

In the past, Ballo Jr. would let his great driving ability try to outhit every obstacle. And his ego believed he could shoot at every pin.

On Monday, Ballo Jr. chased the path of least resistance. Hitting driving to where approach shots opened up the greens. And keeping his approach shots below or even with the hole to cancel out speed and undulations.

His round was a collaborative effort with his caddie. Not employer-employee.

"I'm sure the pin placements will get harder Tuesday and Wednesday. I thought about every single shot," Ballo Jr. said. "You want uphill putts. Otherwise it's a defensive battle on the greens."

Ballo Jr. should succeed at Rolling Hills because it has the same classic Northeast nature and design as Woodway CC.

"I'll always love the Northeast. This is my home," Ballo Jr. said. "Nobody has to tell me about the tradition of the Connecticut Open. My dad (Mike Ballo Sr.) won it twice. This is as big a title as anything I can win."

Ballo Jr. also fortunate to be part of the St. John's golf alumni that includes his close friend and PGA Tour star Keegan Bradley.

"I'm very blessed in the golf support friends I have. Keegan Bradley, Jamie Lovemark (12th at last week's Canadian Open). Very serious golfers who bring out the best in me," Ballo Jr. said. "Keegan is a huge example. He has set the path for all of us to succeed. My friends don't let me mess up. That's hard to come by. I'm extremely lucky."

Rome wasn't built in a day. But Mike Ballo Jr. feels he's getting closer every day to the PGA Tour.

The home of the dream.

"Ben Crenshaw says that players today perfect their skills then they learn how to play professional golf. I feel I'm in the right place to become a very good golfer," Ballo Jr. said. "I'm working hard to be a pro golfer. There are 1700 major league baseball players. There are 370 pro golfers in the entire world. The process is not a cupcake. I've learned commitment. You have to take your lumps. But when I get there, it will be so rewarding."